Thankfully, you don't need to have the eyes of a nitpicker or the patience of a Cubs fan to detail your own car. With a little shopping and a lot of elbow grease, you can have your car looking and feeling almost new in an afternoon.

The following tips, gleaned from the expert advice of www.web-cars.com, Clean Concepts (www.corral.net/tech/maintenance/detail.html), and local detailers Nelson Ng and Derrick Fan, can help you get started.

First, find a wide, windless spot out of direct sunlight to park your car. You'll want to have all of your materials relatively close at hand. In general, it's a good idea to work from the inside of the car outward.

When cleaning under the hood, protect the engine air intake and other moisture-sensitive parts with a plastic bag or cling wrap. Start with a high-pressure hosing to separate and loosen the big stuff. Next, use soapy water and a sponge to remove residual dirt and grease. If the engine hasn't been cleaned in a while, you may need to use a stronger cleaner or solvent; a coarse paint brush or putty knife also can be used to remove thickly caked-on grime.

If there's corrosion on or around the battery, a mixture of water and baking soda (50-50) can help. Be sure to wash the bottom of the hood, too.

Start your interior cleaning by emptying the car, removing the floor mats and sweeping up pebbles and other large, hard debris. Next, go through the entire interior of the car, top to bottom, slowly and thoroughly with a vacuum. Use the attachments to get into hard-to-reach areas.

The vinyl and plastic areas come next. Clean these thoroughly with a damp cloth and dry them quickly. You may need to use a cotton swab or, better, a cloth-covered toothpick to get into crevices. Next, apply a coat of vinyl cleaner or other vinyl/plastic treatment.

Cleaning of the exterior begins with a thorough wash. Start with the wheels and lower areas, then the entire car, using a cleaning agent specifically designed for washing cars (household detergents are too harsh). Rinse as you go, not just at the end.

Make sure you gently remove all dirt and debris before applying any serious rubbing pressure to your car, because even small particles can scratch the paint. Along the same lines, be sure to change the water and cleaner in your bucket as you move to each major area of your car.

Use soft, clean towels to dry your car. Go over it once quickly to remove the excess water. Then go over it again once or twice slowly to make sure all the moisture is gone.

To ensure the smoothest possible surface, consider "claying" your car before you wax. Most claying kits come with detailed instructions and lubricant.

Several types of wax are available. Liquid wax is the easiest to apply, but its protection doesn't last long. This may not be a problem if you wash and wax your car regularly. Harder waxes should be applied sparingly to minimize residue. Cloth-wrapped toothpicks or soft-bristle toothbrushes can be used to remove excess wax from crevices.

To clean glass, wash all windows and mirrors as you wash the rest of the car. Make sure the surfaces are completely dry, then spray on a glass cleaner and wipe. Go over the glass one last time with a dry cloth to get rid of streaks.

— Michael Tsai, Advertiser staff writer

Maybe you've always admired those taiko performers, and wondered what it would take to pick up those sticks and make your own heart-thumping sounds.

Well, don't be shy: The Taiko Center of the Pacific, whose artistic director is expert percussionist Kenny Endo, is offering drum classes tomorrow through July 24 or youths ($60) and adults ($72).

Sessions take place Sundays, Tuesdays or Thursdays at the Kapi'olani Community College Annex Building, 4303 Diamond Head Road.

Information: www.taikoarts.com, 737-7236. Registration: 734-9211.

Foodies, on your mark ... set ... run off to the annual Taste of Honolulu, continuing today and tomorrow on the civic center grounds.

A couple of hints for newbies:

• It could be hotter than heck in the daytime, so try your luck tonight. We say "luck" because it'll probably be packed with tasters from around the island, and lines could be loooonnng.

• Bring one of those portable chairs. It's better than sitting on the grass and way, way better than standing with plate and drink in hand.

Hours are 11 a.m.-10 p.m. today and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. tomorrow. Admission is $3 general; free for seniors and children younger than 12; food and drink are extra, via scrip you can purchase. It's a benefit for Easter Seals Hawai'i.

Phone 536-1015 for information.

Harry Potter fans are in Hogwarts heaven today with the release of "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," the fifth book in J.K. Rowlings' series.

Thousands of Hawai'i Potter-philes have already reserved or pre-ordered their copies. The rest will have to hope for the best in what will likely be a mad rush at the bookstores today.

Here's what we know:

• The Ward Centre branch of Borders Books, Music and Cafe will have copies of the book available for anyone who made a reservation before June 9. Reservations will be honored through tomorrow at 10 p.m. Reservations made on June 10 or later will be filled as more books become available.

• Borders in Waikele will have books available for those with reservations and a limited quantity for walk-ins.

• At Barnes & Noble Booksellers, the initial shipment already is spoken for though reservations. New reservations were still being taken on Thursday.

• Most of the books stocked by Waldenbooks already are reserved, but a small number of leftovers will be available at each of the six O'ahu locations.

• Costco might be the best bet for walk-ins. None of the wholesale stores has reservation lists, meaning the early fans get the books.

Smaller bookstores are also a good bet for walk-ins.

• All four locations of Bestsellers Books and Music report ample, unreserved supplies. Bookends in Kailua has been swamped with last-minute reservations but still expects to have plenty of books available today.

• Some new-and-used bookstores plan to carry the book. Jelly's has books on order, but is not certain when they will arrive. Cheapo Books has a single book on order with, again, no firm confirmation on when it will get there.

Help send young actors to the American High School Theatre Festival in Scotland in August. Attend "Pele Ma" — tales about the fire goddess Pele — at 7:30 tonight at Mid-Pacific Institute's Kawaiahao Recital Hall. Tickets are $25; proceeds support the "Pele Ma" tour to Edinburgh.

Information: 973-5066

From left, back row: Keith Nakaganeku, Brad Wilcox, Jimmy Yonaha, George Kuba; middle, Wes Sakamoto, Hiromichi Nago, Ed Kuba, Henry Isara; front, Bob Nakasone, John Tasato and Tom Nago. Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser

Some of Hawai'i's most prominent Okinawans are growing beards to demonstrate a commitment to their heritage.

Members of the Worldwide Uchinanchu Business Association-International, one of the organizers of tomorrow's 7th Annual Taste of Okinawa, have been growing beards for two months. They will shave them off in September, but will be at tomorrow's event to compare their beards with those being grown by members from the Japanese island and South America.

The Taste of Okinawa is a fund-raiser for the first worldwide Uchinanchu Conference in Hawai'i, Aug. 29 to Sept. 2.

Taste of Okinawa, 4:30 to 9 p.m., at the Hawai'i Okinawa Center, opens with a panel discussion on the differences in diet between people in Okinawa and people in Wai'anae. Tickets are $40 at the center, 94-587 Ukee St., Waipi'o Gentry.

Call to reserve a spot: 523-9636.

Yes, Sunset on the Beach events are at Queen's Surf Beach this weekend.

Tonight's featured film on the 30-foot screen is "Two Weeks Notice," a comedy starring Hugh Grant and Sandra Bullock.

Tomorrow's is "Center Stage," which features Hawai'i's own Amanda Schull as a young ballet dancer. Schull is scheduled to appear tomorrow.

Sunset on the Beach begins at 4 p.m. each day, with food booths and entertainment. Admission is free.